St. Joseph Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of EC$35,000 at Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) in St. Joseph.
Informed sources tell Dominica News Online that the money disappeared from the safe at the school between November 29 and December 1, 2011.
According to one source, the money was collected from students who registered for CXC exams and placed in the safe at the school.
However, “the money which was supposed to have been lodged, stayed there longer than it should have and when the principle went to check the safe, it was gone,” said the source.
Police are tight-lipped on the matter only saying that a report was made to them about missing money at the school and that they are investigating. Our sources say the disappearance of the money could be internal as there appears to be no sign of forced entry at the school.
“This is just a mystery, and the culprit (s) needs to be apprehended, that is money from students for exams which should have been deposited at the bank and now it is gone. Someone needs to give an account for that money,” the source stated.
When contacted for comment Principal of the ITSS, Jerome Bardouille would not comment on the matter saying he was to meet with education officials.
All attempts by our reporter to get comment from education officials have proved futile.
The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, which started almost 60 years ago, is now one of the largest secondary schools on the island with a population of about 700 students. The school offers a wide range of technical and academic subjects.
How were the students able to do exams without the money paid to the registra?
DNO needs to get its fact right. How does a school that was built in 1977/78 end up being 60 years old? On the real issue now. Why did it take 5 years for the police to investigate? Is it because the teachers had a seek out for lack of chuck and toilet paper yesterday ?
FOOL! DIDNT YOU SEE THIS WAS POST IN 2011?
THE MONEY DID NOT FLY OR WALKED AWAY. SOMEONE
TOOK THE MONEY.ALL THE STAFF SHOULD BE A SUSPECT IN THE MISSING MONEY INCIDENT.
There are so many things wrong with this story.
1. why was the money left in the school safe for such a long time?
2. Who has the keys to the office and combination to the safe?
3. As head of the school it is the responsibility of the Principal to be sure that all funds and all property of the school is secure and safe especially funds for exams.
4. All teachers, custodians and Principal should be interrogated individually and in different ways numerously to match statements.
5.There is a lot more to this story, one has to question whether that money was not desposited with the intentions of stealing the entire amount as we all know the holidays are approaching and everyone is looking for some extra money.
I truly hope that the police do a thorough investigation into this matter and this is not something to sweep under the rug like they continuosly do in Dominica. For petes sake get off you all lazy butts in the police staions and do some real cop work. I get mad at how poor and narrow minded the investigative skills of the Police Force in dominica is, they lack training. Too many people get away with stuff in DA.
(hey I’m just saying!)
@ITSS Teacher, why do I believe you are the one who took the money, lol. You are so defensive and angry, all signs of a guilty person. People have a right to their opinion, GROW THE HELL UP. You should be ashamed of yourself as a teacher.
yeah come lets have a merry christmas PRECIOUS…i’m defending all the teachers and the other staff who , jus like many others are trying to understand how this happen while u and others playing the blame game
This time is not a student. Ask those teachers and the secretary about it. Who had the combination? Somebody trip and their turkey for christmas sure. Who was to lodge the money? HUFF DEM POLICE HUFF THEM. Is not the first time. Money for a machine go long…………….time ago and everybody escape.
stupes,you talking s villager
BOY BOY BOY,Im reading the comments made,and im just laughing,and really hard too,because its a shame that some dominicans can come on DNO and just talk pure shit,do you really look at what you write before posting your comments?its a real shame.
You people listen to all the crap that the media posts and you run with it,making all kind of stupid accusations without proof.
Im so happy that God is a good God and that why you all bray, the children will in fact do their exams.Thank God for small mercies.
Dominicans need to speak more positive instead of try to kill people with their words.In case you dont know while you there blasting the Prinicipal and the teachers at ITSS,other places are getting rubbed,this has become a regular thing in Dominica and the authorities and us citizens need to be vigilant now.Encourage each other instead of bring down each other,Your words are killing the country.
i can second that statement,student can pay cxc at a bank if the school has an account at the bank.
Seriously, though, has anyone questioned the custodian(S)? Well someone and his/her family are going to have a very merry
Christmas and a PROSPEROUS new year.
PEOPLE ARE SO DISHONEST THESE AND WANT TO
LIVE ABOVE THEIR MEANS MAYBE THE THIEF IS
AMONGST OTHERS HELPING FIND THE MONEY. WHY
THE MONEY WAS LEFT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
WITH DUE RESPECT THE MONEY DID NOT JUST
DISAPPEARED, SOMEONE WHO HAD ACCESS TO THE
MONEY STOLE IT.
HAD ACCESS TO THE MONEY STOLE IT.
My neigbour make castor oil, coconut oil and caco to pay her child exams fee and a thief pass took the money away. Maladiction will fall on that person lord have mercy poor neigbor i feel sorry for u.
As a educator i do hope this children do write their exams as eduaction is the key o success in life. who eva stole that money will neva see gud n may the Good Lord punish them harshly. I do think howeva the Minstry Of aeducation could pay kin attention to wht is happenin in our schools today. I think moneys for CXC should be paid in the bank like many other caribbean countries includin Antigua and Barbuda has develop this process this year
Are you sure you are an educator? If you are, who or what do you educate? Your grammar is atrocious.
You are definitely not an educator. You cannot spell and your grammar is atrocious.
WHY $35,000 IN A SCHOLL SAFE? THE PRINCIPAL
IS VERY CARELESS TO HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF
MONEY IN A SAFE WHERE AS THERE ARE BANKS IN DA. HE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
MISSING MONEY. TEACHERS OR NOT YOU DON’T
KNOW WHO HAS STICKY HANDS NO BODY IS A THIEF
UNTIL YOU CATCH THEM
dont be to quick to judge, the institution could have an accountant who is responsible for finance.
this case is internal and i dont believe that students should be blamed for this. all the excuses are lame. the principals office and the secretary office are together jus seperated by a small wall. when ever the office is empty the secretary is always there. its impossible for someone to have entered without being caught. who else could knows the safe combination? my conclution is a staff member has something to do with that money. it was well planned but the person who stole it did not spend the whole day with it at the school, someone collected it like platinaum. but the person u cant get away from this type of trouble, and my question is what about the students?
DNO where did you get your info from,that the ITSS is over 60 years old.The school which was first the St.joseph campus of the DGS began operating in 1981 later it became St.Joseph Secondary School,then ITSS.
I was part of the third set of graduates from that school and i am far from 60.So please get your research clear.
all u do not know who take the money. just leave it for the police. but the only thing i sayin is i hope those children write their cxc.
i would make the teachers pay it back
when i get paid next week come look for me and take my salary to pay it back yr moron!
seems u know is us that took the money..
When I read the comments coming from persons who post with their names “ITSS teacher” it baffles me…..if your words are so unbecoming on this board I can imagine your behaviour on campus which leads me to believe that this was an inside job!
The Ministry of educatiin needs to start screening persons that they take to work at our schools, police records, and the likes should be needed!!
@ EUSTACE….i am an itss teacher and a proud one at that…what baffles u? my behaviour? how would u feel if something happened at yr workplace that u have absolutely no idea about, but because the blame has to be put on someone that you’re the one being blamed..or like us at itss, all the members of staff?
it sickens me reading some of the comments being posted here making it seems like we the teachers at itss are all thieves..if one member of staff was involved then may God deal with that person.
but please pple stop makin it seem like all of us at itss had a part to play in the disappearance of the student’s cxc fees.
this is insane!
now those who think what i just said was wrong go ahead and dislike…human nature
gunman you talking nonesense,stop posting sh on dno and go get something constructive to do.
ALL THE TEACHERS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED!!!!!!!!!!! THE PRINCIPAL IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBIITY, THIS INCIDENT BASICALLY SHOWS HE IS NOT ON TOP OF THINGS! tHERE IS NO WAY SOMEBODY WHO HAS GOOD MANAGEMENT SKILLS, WOULD ALLOW FOR 35 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE SITTING AT AN INSTITUTION WHICH DOES NOT HAVE SECURITY, OR A VOLT! IT IS A GOVERNMENT INSTITITION , AND I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT AT THE END OF EVERY WORKING DAY , THAT ALL MONIES MADE BY GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ARE DEPOSITED AT AN ECONOMIC INSTITUTION!
tHE STUDENTS WHO PAID THEIR CXC CAN IN NO WAY BE PENALIZED BY NOT HAVING THEM DO THEIR CXC EXAMS! THEY HAVE THEIR RECIEPTS TO SHOW THAT THEY PAID AND THEY SHOULD BE GOING AHEAD AND DO THEIR EXAMS! OR THEIR PARENTS HAD BETTER SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON THE MATTER! BUT THEN AGAIN ITS THE RESPONSIBILTIY OF THE GOVT OF DOMINICA TO PAY BACK THIS MONEY! I HOPE THOSE IN POWER AT THE ITSS WIL LEARN FROM THIS MISTAKE, AND WILL NOT LET THEIR GUARDS DOWN IN THE FUTURE…….
investigate yrself yr moron! when i was at my home doin my inside job u think is pple cxc money i have to remember yr fool?
so u and yr cid, fbi and whosoever else come down itss and investigate us…hope u make a big break!
am not from da so I don’t pay to do exam the gouvernment pay me to go to school
So why are you on here talking ISH? Wat you doing here? You are no form DA, good for you, Govt pays for your exams good for you. Ain’t that just swell. Go away
US dollars I seeing on that picture wiii! LOL!
WHAT IF THE PERSON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LODGING THE MONEY WAS ILL OR SOMETHING HAPPENED ?? WHY WE CANT SAY THAT INSTEAD OF JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS? WHAT IF THE CULPRIT OR CULPRITS DID BREAK AND OPEN INTO THE PRINCIPALS OFFICE AND THE SO CALLED REPORT GIVEN ON THE NEWS WAS INCORRECT. COME ON PEOPLE. LETS WAIT, SEE AND LISTEN BEFORE JUMPING TO OUR OWN CONCLUSION.
There are two people responsible.Two people with keys.The Principal has a key for sure and the secretary(if there is one) or the person who collected the money from the students.This is an inside job.The money should be deposited as the students pay for their exams.No child or students should be deprived of writing the CXC.Somebody need to pay for it and I don’t care who does.They paid their money.Someone needs to own up but who will.Lets see who will take the responsibility for the missing cash.BUT don’t put it pass a student.One did that to me years ago and I did not get to know not until I left the profession and that was years later.I was surprise to know who took it.
In the mean time the Gov’t should pay for the students exams, so that they can go ahead and seat their tests.
But!The culprits must be caught and be brought too justice, whether he or she is labour, Freedom or UWP.
Shame on who ever it is.
ITSS is not 60 years old, please correct
16 i think…Dno writing like they crazy…lol
yes it is all da cus it was a branch from gramma school n called campus… check ur facts ma fren b4 u comment… ok….. cus i kno ma history i’m a former student….
It could have happened to anyone and anywhere, so lets stop playing the blame game and start looking for the money… Do some investigation.Who had access to the safe? do we all leave the school at the same time?When was the money missed? Start checking persons spending lots of money, check the accounts, investigate all the teachers too.. lets not leave any stones unturned in this one. Only the persons who knew the money was there could have taken it without forcing an entry… I need a job on solving this mystery….
in the first place why did the children brought the money at the schools and not at the bank please answer me?
Have you ever heard of children paying for CXC at a bank? Think b4 you comment please.
you obviously never did CXC
, English please! And it is unfortunate that this happened, the parents of this school (in a rural area) work very hard with hopes that there children can get a chance at a better life.
GOOD SCORE
Trickle down criminality. If the top guns can get away with so much, why not give it a try, we might just be lucky enough to get away to!! This is what is happening in Dominica right now, whether you guys accept it or reject it thumbs it or thumbs it down.. It is the reality of Dominica!! Cut off this rotten head! That’s the only way for cleansing this darn country!
In 1981, thats when the school began
It’s the best the best I say
The best school in DA
With only four teachets and 94 students
Its the best the best I say in DA
Coulibistrie, Salisbury, Mero, St Joe
Together we one school you know
Bringing Dublanc, Bioche and Colihaut
St Joseph Campus of the Grammar School
St Joseph campus you must be the best, best best
best at stealing school
FIRST OFF ALL, U’RE A MORON FOR THAT DUMB COMMENT…TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN INSIDE JOB OR OUTSIDE JOB, NOBODY KNOWS, ONLY THE THIEF(THIEVES) AND GOD..MANY OF U COMMENTING HERE HAVE NO FACTS TO SUPPORT YR BLAMES..I DO NOT BLAME ANYONE, NOT PRINCIPAL, SECRETARY, TEACHERS, NO ONE…EVERY SINGLE TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL AS WELL AS EVERY 5TH FORMER HAS BEEN DEALT A NASTY BLOW BY THIS HORRENDOUS CRIME.
FOR THOSE OF U PLAYING GOD LIKE NONE OF U HAVE MADE MISTAKES OR PROCRASTINATED, OR LEFT THINGS UNDONE TO DO SOME OTHER TIME,,,WOW!!!!!
THE MONEY IS BEING PAID OFF, IF IT HASN’T ALREADY…HOORAY THAT WE CAN REPLACE THAT WHICH WAS STOLEN.
I JUST HOPE AND PRAY THAT WHOSOEVER TOOK THE HARD EARNED MONEY OF THOSE PARENTS WHO HAD TO SACRIFICE TO PAY THE CXC FEES, BILLS PUT ON HOLD TO COMMIT TO THE CXC DEADLINES, THAT GOD WILL CAUSE THEM TO MAKE ANOTHER MISTAKE SO THAT THE REAL CULPRIT (S) WILL BE FOUND OUT AND DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY.
I REFUSE TO BELIEVE ANY OF MY FELLOW TEACHERS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS CRIME, BUT IF FOR SOME REASON ONE IS, THEN GOD TAKE THE WHEEL…IT’S IN YR HANDS.
Thats a song that we sang as students in the early days of the school.
Good memories….i remember those days.
wonder why someone would dislike my post…but then again, some of ya’ll are mentally challenged so nothing sensible will make sense to ya’ll…IT IS A PITY!
But i can assure u the “DISLIKER” THAT WE’LL EDUCATE U AT ITSS…GOT SOME VERY KNOWLEDGABLE TEACHERS THERE..
THE SCHOOL AGE IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE,NOW THE KIDS WONT BE WRITTING THEIR CXC WITHOUT THE MONEY BEING PAID TO THE CXC,THATS THE PROBLEM THE KIDS FACE. NO MONEY NO CXC
The Principal was not responsible, if it had to be deposited a long while ago, why was it still at he school ?
why all that money doing in a school safe,i doe mind is 2grand but 35grand awa,well i will leave it to the police to catch dem culprits
ONE WORD “IRRESPONSIBLE”… it is true that the culprit needs to be found for the money stolen but that was a very bad move by the principle and admin of the school by not depositing that large sum of money in the bank! just pray that the kids do the exams because its no fault of theirs
elections coming up!
somebody needs money
quick! get it from anywhere
I WAS TOLD BY A STUDENT THAT THE SAFE WAS EITHER INADVERTENTLY OR DELIBERATELY LEFT OPEN OVERNIGHT. WE NO LONGER HAVE HONEST PEOPLE IN DOMINICA,AFTER ALL, THEM BIG BOYS ARE DOING THEIR THINGS,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE LESSER MORTALS TO DO. REMEMBER THE BIN BOOBALL,REMEMBER THE FERTILIZER BOOBALL,REMEMBER MONEY BEING PAID BACK TO THE TREASURY,REMEMBER MAN WALKING OUT WITH WINE AND BEERS FROM PRESIDENT’S PARTY,REMEMBER PASSPORTS BEING SOLD LIKE HOT BREAD.I SAY ALL THIS SIMPLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SITUATIONS IN DOMINICA LIKE WHAT MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO MONKEY DO.
The school was opened in 1981 after Hurricane David.
ITSS is 30 years old.
I was hoping that this was a typo because there is no way this school is 60 years old But then DNO seem to be booming with fullish pride because I corrected them on a Jeff Joe statement from DNO that says that Jeff Joe carrer started in guadeloupe. Guess what they refuse to acknowledge their error.
ADMIN: Read the school’s site here and come back and tell us what it said about the founding of the school. Maybe they are wrong. http://www.itfordominica.org/~mvernay/new_page_1.htm
Come back to us when you are done.
hello we’r talkin bout money which was stolen an dno said that jeff joe started his solo career in guadeloupe which is a fact they specified that he was in gramax d’a n solo gwada stupessssss the topic is itss n the stolen money stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupes
something is wrong, that school cannot be 60yrs.old I went to school in senjo and there was no secondary school at the time and i’m not yet 60yrs. I believe some correction need to be made
Admin, you want to know how you could tell the school’s facts are incorrect? It says “in the scenic village of St. Joseph”!
ROTFL!! No offense to my sen joe peps, but St. Joe scenic! LMAO.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand! Hope they find the crook(s)and that the kids chances of writing the CXC exams is not compromised.
lol…..lol…lol…wat did the “principal” go to check for? lol…lol…come on ppl. its clear lol…lol…
What are you insinuating? Point one finger at someone and four others will point back at the pointer!!
Actually, when we point, only THREE finger point back at us.
jus saying… 
THREE fingers…
ITSS is not 60 years old. Back in the early 70’s there were only 4 high schools in Dominica. If memory serve me, I think the Portsmouth Secondary School was the 5th high school built and it is not 60 years old yet.
But what is this about storing that kind of money at a school. That is crazy, unless of course it was planned.
K
correction: it was in an UNSAFE not a SAFE
u will b surprise
correction: it was in an UNSAFE..not in a SAFE…
If all them doors was locked….them the person passed through the EASY-DORE!!!!!!! Heheheheheheheehheheehehe
wait awhile what 35 gran doing in a school safe? That not sitting right with me at all. shouldn’t they have a check book and a bank account? Regardless of the reasons it has to be internal. Who else would know the combination to the safe? unless a student spot the combination being put in but then how would they know when the safe full with money like that? Detain all staff I say
but Dominicans a** eh!! $35,000 is average, think of it, about 100 students paying aprx $350 for a minimum of 5 subjects!!!!! DO THE MATH PEOPLE!!! The main issue is that the safe was not indeed “safe” since the combination was probably discovered by an unauthorised character and it was also probably left in the school a little too long. Whatever the case, it really is unfortunate that so many honest and aspiring young people, parents and staff have to be subject to such undue distress.
But for it to stay in the safe for 3 days is not average them tings does be counted and lodged in the bank. They are never left in the safe and the Principal admitted that the money did stay there suspiciously long
And all the convictions I read about is this one go to jail for stealing this or that, which does not worth sh**, that all who the police catching , little fish while the big fish making noise for their wine and beer.
E par ni jistic a sur la terre: say Malagasy qui ka por fe
E par ni jistic a Dominique: say politician qui ka chapay.
Who has access to the safe? I would find it hard to believe that every teacher at the school would have access. What is the SOP around cash deposits?
Ultimately Mr. Principal, you are responsible. I’m not saying or implying that you took the cash. I’m only saying that based on the chain of command, you are the one to answer for this gross negligence! You should be dinged!
THE CHILDREN HAVE PAID .PERIOD. THEY ARE NOT OWING ANY MONEY FOR EXAMS.THE PRINCIPAL SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY LEAVING MONEY IN A SCHOOL SAFE.THERE ARE BANKS.GOV’T IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THE EXAMINATION FEES NOT THE KIDS NOR THEIR PARENTS.THIS PERSON MIGHT NOT HAVE USED ANY GLOVE TO COMMIT THE THEFT,WAS THE CUPBOARD BROKEN, WAS IT OPEN WITH KEYS,WAS THE SCHOOL BROKEN IN ORDER TO COMMIT THIS CRIME,MANY QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD GET AN ANSWER.THE THIEF MIGHT NOT BE FAR…AS A MATTER OF FACT SUCH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD REMAIN MORE CONFIDENTIAL IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE POLICE MORE TIME TO MAKE A DEEPER INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER.
The principle could have at least said, “this is very unfortunate, however, we are investigating”….that no comment thing there was nice at all.
I am 50. I think I was in High School at SMA when Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) in St. Joseph was created.
Was the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School started almost 60 years ago?
so the issue is not what year ITSS was created!! but finding the culprit and further investigations on this matter ASAP
LOL …. You Dominicans always stray from the issues.
so so long that happen and now they telling us that?
Hmmm… strange.who really is responsible for that money bofore it is supposed to be lodged?
one thing dno always have some matchung pictures to fit the crime.lolllllllll.that money was left behind for a reason .theres no way in hell you leaving all tht money there without knowing why
Of course it’s internal it only makes sense
We have seen the steady decline in the morals of our society, and we have done nothing about it. Murder Robbery, is part of our life. Individual in high office are committing white colour crimes, worth billions of dollars, robbing the country of it resources and we do nothing about that. We have seen the disappearance of money in our police station, our Airport and now our schools. This is the level we have come to, a bunch of theft and liars, have no respect for one another, we have no love for our neighbors.
its white collar crimes..as in the “color” of their shirt “collar”, not their skin..
The rat must be caught before santa gets the chance to cashin for the christmas.
Can you say….”INSIDE JOB”?
YES I CAN…. I.N.S.I.D.E J.O.B!!!!
THAT IS SHIT .. ALL YOU PLAYIN WITH THEM KIDS EDUCATION .. HOW ALL YOU MEAN IT STAYED THERE LONGER .. THAT IS NONSENSE .. THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY SHOULD BE LODGED RIGHT AWAY .. CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN .. THE PRINCIPAL SHOULD BE HELD FULL RESPONSIBLITY FOR LEAVIN IT THAT LONG
wehhhh papa!!! i hope is not 1 of the teachers tht take it
are you all saying that all the teachers have access to the key?Ridiculious!!!!
What not in bank that money should be deposited, what was it doing in a safe at school.
things hard as cash is collected it should be deposited some teacher smiling for christmas
“when the PRINCIPAL went to check….
thanks for correctly spelling it…
Ratts with two legs are dangerous.